Au pair

A foreign national between 18-30 years of age who wishes to acquire Norwegian language skills and learn more about Norwegian culture and society by living with a Norwegian family, may be granted a work permit as an au pair. In return, the au pairs carry out tasks such as housework and childminding for their host family.

29/07/2008 ::
Who can obtain a work permit as an au pair?

• You must be aged between 18 and 30
• It must be likely that you will return to your home country after the permit has expired, and the conditions for return must be in place.

What are the requirements regarding the host family?

• The host family may be a married couple with or without children, partners or cohabitants with or without children, or a single father or mother with children. Single people without children cannot be a host family.
• A permit will not be granted for work with own family members, i.e. siblings, cousins, brothers/sisters-in-law, uncles or aunts.The family must convey Norwegian language and society, and speak Norwegian on a daily basis.
• As a main rule, you cannot be of the same nationality as anyone in the host family.
• If one or more of the host family members are of a foreign nationality or background, this should generally not be the same as yours. If one of the host parents is of the same nationality as you, they must have lived in Norway for at least 10 years.
• The host family may only have one au pair employed at a time.
• The host family must spend time with you in daily life.

What are the requirements regarding the offer of employment?

• There needs to be a concrete offer of employment, and the UDI’s standard contract needs to be signed by you and the host family.
• You may not work for other employers that your host family, and you may not combine work as an au pair with other work. This is regardless of whether you receive payment for this work or not.
• Normal working hours must not exceed 5 hours per day, and max 30 hours per week. You may not work more than 30 hours, even if you are paid extra.
• You are entitled to holiday totalling 25 working days per calendar year.
• You are entitled to a minimum of 48 hours off per week (free period). The free period must, as far as possible, be continuous and never less than 24 hours.
• You may perform tasks such as household work, child care as well as pet care. The au pair permit does not give permission to for work solely as a maid or nanny.
• You must be given the opportunity to take part in Norwegian language tuition and leisure activities.
• The host family must pay for your Norwegian language tuition with up to NOK 6000 per year.
• You must get free board and lodging, and receive payment of at least NOK 4,000 per month.
• You must live with the host family for the entire period of the contract, and be given your own room in the host family’s home.

Requirement to be familar with entitlements and obligations
The form; "Important information on rights and obligations for au pairs and their host families" needs to be signed by by the au pair, the host family and the au pair agency.

How do I apply?
Applications can be lodged either directly with the Embassy in Canberra or any Norwegian Consulate in Australia or New Zealand, or in a country where you have had a work or residence permit for the last six months.

Your host family may apply on your behalf
The host family may apply for a work permit on your behalf, if you give them written power of attorney. The application must be submitted to the police in the district in which the host family lives. In such a case, the host family will be informed of the decision on your application (via the police), and the family must inform you of the decision. It is a condition that you must be living in your country of origin. It should be noted that the case processing time will be longer if the host family submits the application.

What must the application include?

•  2 x "Application for a first-time residence permit or work permit" forms to be completed.
• Passport photo wich meets the set requirements, see link on the right side.
• UDIs standard contract signed by you and the host family.
• Signed form “Important information for au pairs and their host families on entitlements and obligations". This documents is so far only available in Norwegian.
• Documentation of the host family’s nationality (for example a certified copy of their passports).
• Certified copy of passport. The passport must generally be valid for at least two months after the period for which the permit has been granted. If the application is submitted in Norway, the date of arrival should appear clearly.
• If the application has been submitted in another country than your home country: documentation that you have had legal residence in this country for the last six months.
• If the host family consists of one parent: documentation on his/her share of the custody.
• A signed power of attorney to the host family, if applicable.
• The application fee is to be paid to the foreign mission upon submission of the application. Please refer to the fee schedule on the general information page. /visas/visas/New+fee+schedule.htm

Please note: All documents attached to the application have to be translated into English or Norwegian.

Please note: All photocopied documentation must be certified by a qualified authority as a true copy of the original document.

How long will it take to process my application?
Case processing times vary, but may take up to 3 months. For an overview of processing times for the various types of permit, visit www.udi.no/caseprocessingtime. You can also contact the Information Service (OTS) by e-mail ots@udi.no or by calling +47 23 35 16 00.

The case processing time may be longer if the application is submitted by the host family in Norway. This is often due to the police’s large case load.

In order to avoid unnecessary case processing delays, it is important to take care when completing the application form and to include all the requested documentation.

Please note: You will not be able to enter Norway until a decision has been received.

Permit holder's entitlement

• The permit to work as an au pair is granted for one year at a time, and cannot be granted for more than two years in total.
• The permit does not constitute grounds for a settlement permit.

Can the permit be extended or renewed?

• As long as you have a valid work permit as an au pair, you may submit an application to change host family at any time (This is considered an application for renewal).
• If you wish to renew your permit to work as an au pair, either with the same host family or with a new host family, you must submit a new application at least one month before your current permit expires.
• You cannot start working for the new family until you have been granted a new work permit as an au pair.
• The application must be submitted to the police in the district where you live. You must do this in person.
• The same requirements for documentation as for the first time work permit (you may however be 30 years of age).
• You must also pay a fee when applying for renewal.

Can I appeal against a decision?
If your application for a work permit is rejected, you may appeal against this decision. If you appeal, your application will be re-examined by the UDI. The UDI may overturn the decision and grant the requested permit. If the UDI upholds the decision, the case is sent on to the Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) for new consideration.

Further questions?
If you are still unsure about anything relating to how you apply for this type of work permit, more information can be found in the UDI’s circular on work permits for au pairs.

You can also contact the Information Service (OTS) ots@udi.no or your local Norwegian embassy or consulate.